Foothill’s Montgomery follows father’s advice, captures prep golf crown

RENO -- Foothill sophomore Taylor Montgomery said his dad has been yelling at him -- a lot.

"It's been going on for a while now," a smiling Montgomery said.

But it isn't about Montgomery's grades or his inability to make it home before curfew.

"He always yells at me about pin location and that I don't focus on that enough," Montgomery said.

His father's advice helped guide Montgomery to victory in the Class 4A state boys golf tournament Tuesday at Hidden Valley Country Club despite 50 mph gusts.

The lean sophomore, who captured the Sunrise Region tournament last week, shot 1-over-par 145 for the two-day state tournament.

Coronado captured the team championship with a 781 score. Palo Verde finished second at 806, and Reno was third with 813.

"We really have to give a lot of credit to our depth," Coronado coach Joe Sawaia said. "Our highest scorer of the day yesterday was our lowest today. That shows you how deep we are."

Cougars junior A.J. McInerney, the defending champion, battled Montgomery for the individual title down the stretch with the Foothill sophomore taking a one-stroke lead into the final hole.

But McInerney's approach shot on the par-5 hole faded left of the green, behind a bunker, and Montgomery capitalized.

His approach landed safely on the green, 20 feet from the hole. Montgomery two-putted for birdie to complete a par 72 round and win by three shots.

McInerney took a bogey on 18 to finish at 148.

McInerney entered the final round two shots ahead of Montgomery after shooting 71 on Monday. But Montgomery moved into the lead with eagles on Nos. 1 and 7.

Bishop Manogue's Kevin Andrews, the first-day leader after a 70, sealed his fate with a 40 on the front nine Tuesday. He finished fourth at 149.

The golfers battled unseasonably cold temperatures and strong winds as well as staunch competition.

"I've never played in a tournament with conditions this windy," Andrews said.

But the strong winds couldn't block out the advice of Montgomery's father.

On the first day of the tournament, Montgomery said he three-putted on three holes, with each attempt within 15 feet.

"That's really bad," said Montgomery, who also admitted he had a few awkward drives that left him in tough positions on the back nine. "I knew I had to correct that today. I knew I had to correct my pin location and not keep giving myself impossible uphill puts."

Arbor View's Zane Thomas finished tied with McInerney at 148. Palo Verde's Brandon Bauden finished fifth at 152.

Palo Verde rallied Tuesday after finishing the first day in fourth place. The Panthers shot 399 on Tuesday, matching Coronado's team mark, in the tough conditions.

"To go from the way we played yesterday finishing fourth to taking second place is a big deal," Panthers coach Jeff Wolfram said. "I'm proud of these guys."